He controlled himself and looked at Connor with an almost wistful defiance. "I hold to this," he said. "If you can bring Glani to your hand, he is yours while you stay in the Garden--for my part, I shall find another mount." Connor slipped his right hand into his pocket and crushed the little root against the palm. "Come hither, Glani," commanded the master. The stallion came up behind David's chair, looking fearlessly at the stranger. "Now," said David with scorn. "This is your time." "I accept it," replied Connor. He drew his hand from his pocket, and leaning over the table, he looked straight into the eye of the stallion. But in reality, it was only to bring that right hand closer; the wind was stirring behind him, and he knew that it wafted the scent of the mysterious root straight to Glani. "That is impossible," said David, following the glance of Connor with a frown. "A horse has no reasoning brain. Silence cannot make him come to you." "However," said Connor carelessly, "I shall not speak." The master set his teeth over unuttered words, and glancing up to reassure himself, his face altered swiftly, and he whispered: "Now, you four dead masters, bear witness to this marvel! Glani feels the influence!" For the head of Glani had raised as he scented the wind. Then he circled the table and came straight toward Connor. Within a pace, the scent of strange humanity must have drowned the perfume of the root; he sprang away, catlike and snorted his suspicion. David heaved a great sigh of relief. "You fail!" he cried, and snatching up a bottle of wine, he poured out a cup. "Brave Glani! I drink this in your honor!" Every muscle in David's strong body was quivering, as though he were throwing all the effort of his will on the side of the stallion. "You think I have failed?" asked Connor softly. "Admit it," said David. His flush was gone and he was paler than Connor now; he seemed to desire with all his might that the test should end; there was a fiber of entreaty in his voice. "Admit it, Benjamin, as I admit your strange power." "I have hardly begun. Give me quiet." David flung himself into his chair, his attention jerking from Glani to Connor and back. It was at this critical moment that a faint breeze puffed across the patio, carrying the imperceptible fragrance of the root straight to Glani. Connor watched the stallion prick his ears, and he blessed the quaint old Viennese with all his heart. The first approach of Glani had been in the nature of a feint, but now that he was sure, he went with all the directness of unspoiled courage straight to the stranger. He lowered the beautiful head and thrust out his nose until it touched the hand of Connor. The gambler saw David shudder. "You have conquered," he said, forcing out the words. "Take Glani; to me he is now a small thing. He is yours while you stay in the Garden. Afterward I shall give him to one of my servants."